Youth Prevention Toolkit

A Prevention Resource

Youth do not always have the words to explain how they feel, but they often show it in other ways. The Youth Prevention Toolkit is designed to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and other trusted adults notice early signs, start supportive conversations, and build protective habits around young people.

This page offers simple, everyday tools that can be used at home, at school, and in the community.

What this toolkit is for

This toolkit helps adults who support youth to:

  • Notice early warning signs
  • Make mental health check ins feel normal
  • Talk about hard things, including thoughts of suicide
  • Offer safety, structure, and connection
  • Know when to seek more support

It is meant to be practical, gentle, and easy to use.

Part 1: Noticing early signs in youth

Young people may not say “I am not okay” with words. You might notice:

  • Pulling away from family, friends, or usual activities
  • Big shifts in mood, irritability, or emotional outbursts
  • Persistently low energy or exhaustion
  • Saying things like “What is the point” or “No one would miss me”
  • Drop in grades, attendance, or motivation
  • Changes in sleep or appetite
  • Spending most of the time alone in their room
  • Risky behaviour or sudden change in peer group

You do not need to wait until you are sure something is wrong. If you notice a pattern or your gut feels uneasy, it is time to check in.

Part 2: Everyday check in tools for youth

Keep it simple and regular. Short, predictable check ins help youth feel safer opening up.

At home

You can build check ins into:

  • Car rides
  • Bedtime routines
  • Walks with the dog
  • After school snack time

Helpful questions:

  • “How is your heart today”
  • “What was the hardest part of today”
  • “What was one small good thing”
  • “Is there anything you are worried about that you have not said out loud yet”
  • “On a scale from 1 to 5, how heavy does life feel today”

At school or with youth groups

  • Quick mood check at the start of class or practice
  • Anonymous check in box or digital form
  • “One word check in” where everyone shares a feeling word
  • Private check ins when you notice a change

Part 3: Youth friendly scales and tools

You can use simple visual scales:

Feelings scale:

  • 1: I feel really awful
  • 2: I feel not great
  • 3: I feel ok
  • 4: I feel pretty good
  • 5: I feel great

Then ask:

  • “What might help move you up one step”

Energy scale:

  • Empty
  • Low
  • Mixed
  • Steady
  • Charged

Ask:

  • “What does your body need today. Rest, movement, quiet, comfort?”

These tools help youth talk about their inner world without needing perfect words.

Part 4: How to talk about suicide with youth

If you are worried about suicidal thoughts, you can ask directly in a calm way.

You might say:

  • “Sometimes when people feel really overwhelmed, they have thoughts about hurting themselves or ending their life. Has that been happening for you”
  • “Have you had any thoughts about suicide”
  • “Have you ever felt like you do not want to be here anymore”

If they say yes:

  • Thank them for telling you
  • Stay calm and present
  • Let them know they are not in trouble
  • Tell them you are going to help them stay safe and get support

If they say no but you are still worried, keep the door open:

  • “Thank you for telling me. If those thoughts ever show up, you can come to me right away”
  • Regular check-ins

Part 5: Everyday prevention habits at home

You do not have to be perfect. Small things add up.

Helpful habits:

  • Predictable routines for sleep, meals, and school
  • One daily point of connection that is low pressure
  • Shared activities that do not require heavy talking
    • Walks, puzzles, cooking, games, art, sports
  • Gentle boundaries around screens and social media
  • Encouraging breaks from overwhelming online spaces
  • Listening more than fixing
  • Praising effort, courage, and small steps

Protective factors grow in homes where youth feel seen, valued, and safe to be themselves.

Part 6: Everyday prevention habits in schools

Schools and youth programs can help create protective environments by:

  • Normalizing conversations about feelings
  • Building classroom or team rituals for check ins
  • Posting mental health support information where youth can see it
  • Creating quiet spaces where students can go when overwhelmed
  • Training staff to recognize warning signs and respond with care
  • Encouraging peers to reach out when they are worried about a friend

Even small cultural shifts can reduce isolation and increase safety.

Part 7: When to take the next step

It is time to seek more support when:

  • Thoughts of suicide are present
  • The youth talks about feeling hopeless or like a burden
  • There are big changes in behaviour, mood, or functioning
  • Self harm is present or being considered
  • Your instincts are telling you the youth is not safe

Next steps can include:

  • Contacting a health provider or mental health professional
  • Speaking with school support staff such as guidance or a social worker
  • Involving caregivers if you are a teacher, coach, or mentor
  • Removing or locking up anything that could be used for self harm
  • Calling 911 if there is immediate danger

You are not alone in this. It is ok to ask for help in supporting a young person you care about.

Important: Anchored Wings Initiative provides education, awareness, and community-based resources. We are not a crisis line and do not provide counselling, therapy, medical advice, or emergency response.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.